Murder in the Age of Enlightenment

Murder in the Age of Enlightenment Synopsis

Madness, murder and obsession: a stylishly original and fantastical collection of stories from an iconic Japanese writer

A collection of the 7 essential Akutagawa short stories, in a vivid and elegant translation - the perfect introduction to this master of prose

"A born short-story writer. . . one never tires of reading and re-reading his best works" - Haruki Murukami

From a nobleman's court, to the garden of paradise, to a lantern festival in Tokyo, these 7 shrot stories offer dazzling glimpses into moments of madness, murder and obsession.

• A talented yet spiteful painter is given over to depravity in pursuit of artistic brilliance.
• In the depth of hell, a robber spies a single spider's thread being lowered towards him.
• When a body is found in an isolated bamboo grove, a kaleidoscopic account of violence and desire begins to unfold.

These are short stories from an unparalleled master of the form. Sublimely crafted and stylishly original, Akutagawa's writing is shot through with a fantastical sensibility. This collection, in a vivid translation by Bryan Karetnyk, brings together the most essential works from this iconic Japanese writer.

Part of the Pushkin Press Classics series: outstanding classic storytelling from around the world, in a stylishly original series design. From newly rediscovered gems to fresh translations of the world's greatest authors, this series includes such authors as Stefan Zweig, Hermann Hesse, Ryunosuke Akutagawa and Gaito Gazdanov.

About This Edition

ISBN:	9781805330295
Publication date:	26th October 2023
Author:	Ryunosuke Akutagawa
Illustrator:	Tom Clohosy Cole
Publisher:	Pushkin Press an imprint of Steerforth Press
Format:	Paperback
Pagination:	208 pages
Series:	Essential Stories
Genres:	Shorter Reads General Fiction